Method and system for optimizing shipping methodology for 2-directional wall panels

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a system for optimizing the shipping of wall panels, comprising: analyzing a building model, wherein a set of wall panels are isolated; processing a first set of data associated each of the set of wall panels, wherein the first set of data is related to members of the wall panel and the interface between these members; grouping a first group of the set of wall panels into a bundle, wherein the first group of wall panels is based on the processed first set of data; analyzing the bundle relative to the volume of a shipping vessel, wherein it is determined if the shipping vessel can container the vessel; manipulating, by at least one processor the bundle of wall panels based on limitations of the shipping vessel; and generating a graphical representation of the bundle and the position of the bundle within the shipping vessel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (and claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 USC 120) of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/802,645 filedFeb. 27, 2020. The disclosure of the prior applications is consideredpart of (and is incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of thisapplication.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to building construction and in particular, to amethod, a computer program, or a computer system for optimization of theshipping methodology of wall panels.

When framing a building, the members which make up the frame need to beshipped to the work site. The members may be shipped in containers, bytruck, or various other methods of transportation. These panels need tobe bundled for shipping, and typically are placed within the shippingvessel in an arbitrary order or placement which results in either lostspace, difficulty sorting the members, or incorrect assembly of themembers due to the inability to determine which member is which. Thisresults in a tremendous amount of lost time and money at theconstruction site.

Cold formed steel members are manufactured from the roll formingmachines in various lengths as per the user inputs and the memberdesigns. Shipping or transportation of the cold formed steel members isdone to construction site by shipping containers. Cold formed steelmembers are shipped to site in either plurality of the members bundledtogether to form a panel or as individual members which are then sortedon site.

In current industry practice, the bundling of the members together forshipping is not done in an organized way as different sizes and shapesof the cold formed steel members in the wall. Each bundle occupies largevolume and when the materials are shipped to the site, due to the largevolume of each bundle the space inside the shipping container is notutilized in most optimized way. Additionally, the bundles require theworkers to know exactly which member goes where in the assembly of thepanels. This also provides for the opportunity for a member to bemisplaced or lost.

It is desirable for a system or program that is able to optimize thebundling or preparing of the panels in such a way that it will occupyleast volume and shipping or transportation cost and reduce the time onsite to determine which panel is associated with and also assist in theassembly of the panels.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, the present invention is a computer method foroptimizing the shipping of wall panels, comprising: analyzing, by atleast one processor, a building model, wherein a set of wall panels areisolated; processing, by at least one processor, a first set of dataassociated each of the set of wall panels, wherein the first set of datais related to members of the wall panel and the interface between thesemembers; grouping, by at least one processor, a first group of the setof wall panels into a bundle, wherein the first group of wall panels isbased on the processed first set of data; analyzing, by at least oneprocessor, the bundle relative to the volume of a shipping vessel,wherein it is determined if the shipping vessel can container thevessel; manipulating, by at least one processor the bundle of wallpanels based on limitations of the shipping vessel; and generating, byat least one processor, a graphical representation of the bundle and theposition of the bundle within the shipping vessel.

In a second embodiment, the present invention is a computer programproduct for optimizing the shipping of wall panels, comprising: one ormore computer non-transitory readable storage media and programinstructions stored on the one or more computer non-transitory readablestorage media, the program instructions comprising: program instructionsto analyze a building model, wherein a set of wall panels are isolated;program instructions to process a first set of data associated each ofthe set of wall panels, wherein the first set of data is related tomembers of the wall panel and the interface between these members;program instructions to group a first group of the set of wall panelsinto a bundle, wherein the first group of wall panels is based on theprocessed first set of data; program instructions to analyze the bundlerelative to the volume of a shipping vessel, wherein it is determined ifthe shipping vessel can container the vessel; program instructions tomanipulating, by at least one processor the bundle of wall panels basedon limitations of the shipping vessel; and program instructions togenerate a graphical representation of the bundle and the position ofthe bundle within the shipping vessel.

In a third embodiment, the present invention is a system for optimizingthe shipping of wall panels, comprising: one or more computerprocessors, one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media,and program instructions stored on the one or more computernon-transitory readable storage media for execution by, at least one ofthe one or more processors, the program instructions comprising:analyzing a building model, wherein a set of wall panels are isolated;processing a first set of data associated each of the set of wallpanels, wherein the first set of data is related to members of the wallpanel and the interface between these members; grouping a first group ofthe set of wall panels into a bundle, wherein the first group of wallpanels is based on the processed first set of data; analyzing the bundlerelative to the volume of a shipping vessel, wherein it is determined ifthe shipping vessel can container the vessel; manipulating, by at leastone processor the bundle of wall panels based on limitations of theshipping vessel; and generating a graphical representation of the bundleand the position of the bundle within the shipping vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram depicting a computing environment, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram depicting the internal and externalcomponents of the server and computing device of FIG. 1 , in accordancewith one embodiment of the present.

FIG. 3 depicts a cloud computing environment, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of the operational steps of a methodperformed by a shipping optimization methodology program within thecomputing environment of FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustration of an assembled wall panel, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustration of a disassembled wall panel, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustration of a wall panel, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the wall panel in a bundle, in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustration of the bundle of a wall panel on ashipping vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to building construction and in particular, to amethod, a computer program, or a computer system for optimization of theshipping methodology of panels and the organization of the panelmembers.

Typically, the panels are either manufactured in a factory and ship tosite or it is constructed on site construction. Pre-Engineeringbuildings which are one of the most popular construction methods inrecent time has all the members which are pre-engineered andpremanufactured in a factory controlled environment. These members arethen either shipped to the site and assembled on site or assembled atthe factory and then shipped in completed or semi-completed form.

Cold formed steel buildings are the one such construction material whichis manufactured in factory-controlled environment. Cold formed steelwall members are generally of a “C” shape. The roll forming from themachine is done using flat steel sheet inserted in the roll formingmachine and using the rollers the steel sheet is bent to desired shapeas per the user input. Cold formed steel wall members have a cavityspace inside the “C” shape and when shipped the cold formed steelmembers can utilize this shape to reduce the wasted space within thecontainer.

In the present invention the concept of each wall panel ispremanufactured and shipped to the construction site. The wall panel ismanufactured to the size and specifications of the shipping vessellimitations. This produces wall panels that may be partially completedbased on the shipping vessel size and weight limit.

Generally, based on the dimensions of the shipping vessel (e.g.container or truck), the maximum limit of each bundle is determined. Thelength of the bundle cannot be longer than the maximum shippingcontainer length. Additionally, the height and width of the containerlimit the bundle size as well and are set as maximum limits on eachbundle.

The present invention provides for an advantage over the presentpackaging and shipping techniques by utilizing a unique optimizationfeature where the wall panels are analyzed based on the shippingcontainer, determined the maximum size and number of panels, and createan assembly pattern for the wall panels to fit within the shippingvessel within minimal wasted or lost space.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention. The present invention is used in an embodiment withcold formed steel wall members, in alternative embodiments, variousother applications may exist with other type of building materials orproducts.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowcharts may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in thefigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. It will also be noted that each block of the flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry outcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a computing environment 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 providesan illustration of one embodiment and does not imply any limitationsregarding the environment in which different embodiments may beimplemented.

In the depicted embodiment, computing environment 100 includes network102, computing device 104, and server 106. Computing environment 100 mayinclude additional servers, computers, or other devices not shown.

Network 102 may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet, any combination thereof, or any combination ofconnections and protocols that can support communications betweencomputing device 104 and server 106 in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention. Network 102 may include wired, wireless, or fiber opticconnections.

Computing device 104 may be a management server, a web server, or anyother electronic device or computing system capable of processingprogram instructions and receiving and sending data. In otherembodiments, computing device 104 may be a laptop computer, tabletcomputer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer,or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating withpatient computing device 104 via network 102. In other embodiments,computing device 104 may be a server computing system utilizing multiplecomputers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment.In one embodiment, computing device 104 represents a computing systemutilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool ofseamless resources. Computing device 104 may include components, asdepicted and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 1 .

Server 106 may be a management server, a web server, or any otherelectronic device or computing system capable of processing programinstructions and receiving and sending data. In other embodiments server106 may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer,personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmableelectronic device capable of communicating via network 102. In oneembodiment, server 106 may be a server computing system utilizingmultiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computingenvironment. In one embodiment, server 106 represents a computing systemutilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool ofseamless resources. In the depicted embodiment Bundle optimizationprogram 108 and database 110 are located on server 106. Server 106 mayinclude components, as depicted and described in further detail withrespect to FIG. 1 .

Bundle optimization program 108 has the unique features to take allmembers of a wall group of these building panels and determine apreferred manufacturing order and bundling process to maximize thenumber of members which can be placed within a single shippingcontainer. The bundling process is further simplified by determining thepreferred manufacturing order so that each member that comes out of theforming machine can be bundled one after the next and the workers do notneed to bundle the members in a random or more complicated order. Thisalso further assists with the unpacking at the work site in that themembers are bundled in a way the workers can easily remove the bundlesand assemble the panels in a methodical and efficient order.

In the depicted embodiment, the bundle optimization program 108 utilizesnetwork 102 to access the computing device 104 and to communicate withdatabase 110. In one embodiment, Bundle optimization program 108 resideson computing device 104. In other embodiments, Bundle optimizationprogram 108 may be located on another server or computing device,provided Bundle optimization program 108 has access to database 110.

Database 110 may be a repository that may be written to and/or read byoptimization program 108. Information gathered from computing device 104and the 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional drawings andmodels as well as the requirements so that the assembly drawing in oneembodiment, database 110 is a database management system (DBMS) used toallow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration ofa database(s). In the depicted embodiment, database 110 resides oncomputing device 104. In other embodiments, database 110 resides onanother server, or another computing device, provided that database 110is accessible to optimization program 108.

FIG. 2 , a schematic of an example of a cloud computing node is shown.Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitable cloudcomputing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention describedherein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable of beingimplemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purposes or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

FIG. 2 , computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10 is shownin the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components ofcomputer system/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18that couples various system components including system memory 28 toprocessor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

FIG. 3 , illustrative cloud computing environment 50 is depicted. Asshown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or more cloudcomputing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used by cloudconsumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA) orcellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or additional computer systems may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-C shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the Program/utility 40 may include one ormore program modules 42 that generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.Specifically, the program modules 42 provides for the analysis of a wallpanel, the extraction of the data associated with each member, thecalculation of an optimum shipping orientation, the generation of avirtual image of the members reorientation in the bundle for shipping,and then the optimization of the shipping vessel for the plurality ofbundles based on the assembly process of the frame. Otherfunctionalities of the program modules 42 are described further hereinsuch that the program modules 42 are not limited to the functionsdescribed above. Moreover, it is noted that some of the modules 42 canbe implemented within the infrastructure shown in FIGS. 1-3 .

FIG. 4 depicts flowchart 400 depicting a method according to the presentinvention. The method(s) and associated process(es) are now discussed,over the course of the following paragraphs, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The program(s) described herein areidentified based upon the application for which they are implemented ina specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should beappreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is usedmerely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited touse solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by suchnomenclature.

In step 402, the bundle optimization program 108 analyzes the wall paneland the members. The bundle optimization program 108 receives or accessthe 3D model and isolates the wall panels. These panels may be, forexemplary purposes similar to the illustrations shown in FIG. 5 . Thewall panel in the depicted image of comprised of members 501, 502, 503,504, and 505. The members are a top plate, bottom plate, verticalmembers, and nogging members. These members are connected or fastenedtogether. The bundle optimization program 108 identifies the propertiesof each member within the panel and analyzes the properties of eachmember and the wall panel in its entirety. This includes, but is notlimited to, the length, width, height, profile, and curvature of themembers and the panel. In some embodiments, where weight is a factor,the bundle optimization program 108 calculates a weight of the member(s)(and the panel) based on known or calculated material properties. Thebundle optimization program 108 analyzes the coordinates (X, Y, Z) ofthe members and wall panel to calculate the profile, thickness, andother dimensional properties of the panel.

In step 404, the bundle optimization program 108 compiles the panelarrangement for shipping. The bundle optimization program 108 reviewsthe size limitations, and in some settings the weight limitations of theshipping vessel. The shipping container may be an intermodal freightcontainer, or various other shipping container which are used byspecific industries. The bundle optimization program 108 is able toprocess the construction of each wall panel, determine the maximumdimension of the construction process at each stage, compare this to theshipping vessel limitations, and determine at what stage theconstruction of the wall panel should be suspended so that the wallpanel will fit within the shipping vessel. This may result in a wallpanel have two partially constructed sections which are shipped, and thefinal assembly happens on site. FIG. 7 depicts an image of a wall panels600 which are bundled in FIG. 8 in additional to panel 801. The panels600 and 801 are bundled together based on size, coordinates, and weightto create a bundle which is able to fill the shipping vessel with theleast amount of wasted space. The bundle 800 is shown in an embodimentwhere the wall panels 600 are all substantially identification andassembled as complete panels.

The arrangement of the panels is determined through various computerlearning systems and artificial intelligence to understand the ideal orpreferred assembly process of the section of the wall panel, so that thepanels are arranged both in a way to decrease the space which is takenup by the bundle, due to which, the workers are able to take the panelsfrom the bundle and easily placed on the site directly.

Through the review of the structure, the bundle optimization program 108with the use of artificial intelligence or computer learning technology,is able to determine which panels need to be assembled first, second,third, etc. The bundle optimization program 108 calculates the order inwhich the bundles are to be placed within the container, so that whenremoved, the first panel to be constructed and used is removed first andso on.

In step 406, bundle optimization program 108 generates the shippingorganization and placement within the shipping vessel. Based on theshipping vessel size and limitations, the creates the sequence in whichthe bundles are loaded into the container. The bundle optimizationprogram 108 determines if the bundle fits within the shipping vessel.The packaging organization program 108 is able to generate anarrangement of the wall panels to fit within the container and consumethe least amount of space as possible. The arrangement of the wallpanels to form the bundle is determined through various computerlearning systems and artificial intelligence to understand the ideal orpreferred assembly process of the panel, so that the panels are arrangedwithin the bundle to provide for the maximum use of space. The panelsare arranged both in a way to decrease the space which is taken up bythe bundle, but also so once the bundle is removed, the workers are ableto take the panels from the bundle and easily assemble the panel. Thebundle optimization program 108 is able to take the assembly of thebuilding, disassemble the building panel (e.g. truss, joist, and wall)by panel and then reassemble to determine a desired or preferredassembly process.

FIG. 6 depicts a disassembled wall panel 600. Through the disassemblyprocess, the interfaces of the members are identified and categorized.This assembly process is then used when generating the organization ofthe members to limit the work required to take the packet and build thewall panel. Based on a known or calculated assembly process, the panelsare ordered in the packet strategically based on this assembly process.

In some embodiments, the bundle optimization program 108 may alter thebundles based on the overall sequence of which the bundles are loadedinto the container. This may include adjusting the overall length of thebundles, the order of the panels within the bundles, or possiblycombining bundles based on the benefits that the combination mayproduce. In some embodiments, the bundle optimization program 108reviews the structure design and each wall panel of the structure toanalyze how the structure would be constructed. This includes theassembly of the first floor, then the second floor, then the roof of atwo-story building. The bundle optimization program 108 analyzes anassembly process of the entire structure and the ordering of theconstruction of each structure so that the wall panels which are neededto be assembled first are identified as such.

In step 408, bundle optimization program 108 generates drawings orillustrations of bundle and the placement of the bundles within theshipping vessel. The bundle optimization program 108 creates the drawingfor each bundle to show the position of each panel within the bundle.The bundle optimization program 108 creates the drawings which show theview of the container from various perspectives to show the location ofeach bundle inside the container such that the maximum space is occupiedin the container and there is minimum open space in the container. FIGS.5 and 6 show illustrations of a wall panel 500 comprised of members501-505. The bundle optimization program 108 is able to analyze each ofthe members, disassembly the panel, and understand the order in whichthe members are assembled together to form the panel. Based on thisunderstanding the bundle optimization program 108 is able to determine apreferred order of the bundles so that the panels when taken from thebundle are able to be assembled in the desired order.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustration of a bundle 800 placed on a vehicle forshipping. The bundle, in this embodiment are placed on the vehicle bed.In various embodiments, the panels and thus the bundle may not form aperfect rectangle, but may be designed to integrate with another bundleto create as little dead space as possible within the shipping vessel.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

Present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication thatthe subject matter described by the term “present invention” is coveredby either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that mayeventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “presentinvention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for whichdisclosures herein that are believed as may be being new, thisunderstanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” istentative and provisional and subject to change over the course ofpatent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as theclaims are potentially amended.

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presentedonly for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the formsdisclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings will be apparentto practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosureis not intended to limit the present invention. In the specification andclaims the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaningsimilar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply theinclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps butnot the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers orsteps. This definition also applies to variations on the term“comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have beendescribed above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled inthe art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subjectmatter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references(e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and mayinclude intermediate members between a connection of elements andrelative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do notnecessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixedrelation to each other. Moreover, network connection references are tobe construed broadly and may include intermediate members or devicesbetween network connections of elements. As such, network connectionreferences do not necessarily infer that two elements are in directcommunication with each other. In some instances, in methodologiesdirectly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operationsare described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled inthe art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged,replaced or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail orstructure may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to theembodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications,variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether knownor that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to thosehaving at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a methodin a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order ofthe steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the inventionset forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Personsskilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form anddetail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlierdeveloped alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/orsubstantial equivalent.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer method for optimizing theshipping of wall panels, comprising: analyzing, by at least oneprocessor, a building model, wherein a set of wall panels are isolated;processing, by at least one processor, a first set of data associatedeach of the set of wall panels, wherein the first set of data is relatedto a set of individual members of the wall panel and the interfacebetween these members; grouping, by at least one processor, a firstgroup of the set of wall panels into a bundle, wherein the first groupof wall panels is based on the processed first set of data; analyzing,by at least one processor, the bundle relative to the volume of ashipping vessel, wherein it is determined if the shipping vessel cancontainer the vessel; manipulating, by at least one processor the bundleof wall panels based on limitations of the shipping vessel; andgenerating, by at least one processor, a graphical representation of thebundle and the position of the bundle within the shipping vessel.
 2. Thecomputer method of claim 1, further comprising, simulating, by at leastone processor, the assembly process of the wall panel based on theinterface of the members.
 3. The computer method of claim 1, furthercomprising, incorporating, by at least one processor a set of spacersbetween the wall panels of the bundle, wherein the spacers arepositioned at predetermined locations.
 4. The computer method of claim1, wherein the manipulation of the bundle, further comprising, altering,by at least one processor, the wall panels based on the interfacesbetween the members, wherein the wall panels are separated intosections.
 5. The computer method of claim 4, further comprising,grouping, by at least one processor, the sections based on an assemblyprocess of the wall panel.
 6. The computer method of claim 1, furthercomprising, determining, by at least one processor, the interfacebetween the isolated wall panels, where a set of data is created relatedto the wall panel relationship in reference to the model design.
 7. Thecomputer method of claim 6, wherein the organization of the wall panelswithin the shipping vessel is based on an assembly process of the wallpanels.
 8. A computer program product for optimizing the shipping ofwall panels, comprising: one or more computer non-transitory readablestorage media and program instructions stored on the one or morecomputer non-transitory readable storage media, the program instructionscomprising: program instructions to analyze a building model, wherein aset of wall panels are isolated; program instructions to process a firstset of data associated each of the set of wall panels, wherein the firstset of data is related to members of the wall panel and the interfacebetween these members, wherein each wall panel is comprised of at leasttwo individual members; program instructions to group a first group ofthe set of wall panels into a bundle, wherein the first group of wallpanels is based on the processed first set of data; program instructionsto analyze the bundle relative to the volume of a shipping vessel,wherein it is determined if the shipping vessel can container thevessel; program instructions to manipulating, by at least one processorthe bundle of wall panels based on limitations of the shipping vessel;and program instructions to generate a graphical representation of thebundle and the position of the bundle within the shipping vessel.
 9. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, further comprising, programinstructions to simulate the assembly process of the wall panel based onthe interface of the members.
 10. The computer program product of claim8, further comprising, program instructions to incorporate a set ofspacers between the wall panels of the bundle, wherein the spacers arepositioned at predetermined locations.
 11. The computer program productof claim 8, wherein the manipulation of the bundle, further comprising,alter the wall panels based on the interfaces between the members,wherein the wall panels are separated into sections.
 12. The computerprogram product of claim 11, further comprising, group the sectionsbased on an assembly process of the wall panel.
 13. The computer programproduct of claim 8, further comprising, program instructions todetermine the interface between the isolated wall panels, where a set ofdata is created related to the wall panel relationship in reference tothe model design.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, whereinthe organization of the wall panels within the shipping vessel is basedon an assembly process of the wall panels.
 15. A system for optimizingthe shipping of wall panels, comprising: one or more computerprocessors, one or more computer non-transitory readable storage media,and program instructions stored on the one or more computernon-transitory readable storage media for execution by, at least one ofthe one or more processors, the program instructions comprising:analyzing a building model, wherein a set of wall panels are isolated;processing a first set of data associated each of the set of wallpanels, wherein the first set of data is related to a set of at leasttwo individual members of the wall panel and the interface between thesemembers, wherein the set of at least two individual members are distinctparts; grouping a first group of the set of wall panels into a bundle,wherein the first group of wall panels is based on the processed firstset of data; analyzing the bundle relative to the volume of a shippingvessel, wherein it is determined if the shipping vessel can containerthe vessel; manipulating, by at least one processor the bundle of wallpanels based on limitations of the shipping vessel; and generating agraphical representation of the bundle and the position of the bundlewithin the shipping vessel.
 16. The system of claim 15, furthercomprising, simulating the assembly process of the wall panel based onthe interface of the members.
 17. The system of claim 15, furthercomprising, incorporating, by at least one processor a set of spacersbetween the wall panels of the bundle, wherein the spacers arepositioned at predetermined locations.
 18. The system of claim 15wherein the manipulation of the bundle, further comprising, altering thewall panels based on the interfaces between the members, wherein thewall panels are separated into sections.
 19. The system of claim 18further comprising, grouping the sections based on an assembly processof the wall panel.
 20. The system of claim 15, further comprising,determining the interface between the isolated wall panels, where a setof data is created related to the wall panel relationship in referenceto the model design.